On Wed, 14 May 2014 06:47:08 -0700 (PDT), trader_4
wrote:

No, what means they voted under duress were that Russian armored divisions
totaling 50,000 were massed on the border, Russian special forces in unmarked
uniforms were in Crimea, all the elected officials opposed were arrested and
put in jail, opposition leaders/protesters were openly beaten up. That's
what makes it under duress.

This whole thing was a strategic plan of Putin. He violated
international agreements, that even he signed. He wanted complete
control of Crimea. He wants Eastern Ukraine, because the is were most
of the wealth is located. He can control the grain trade, control the
pipe lines there that cross from Russia to ensure his financial
interest and hold Europe hostage to gas and oil. Most of Ukraine's GDP
comes from the eastern part of the country. This is where most of the
factories are located.

He sent special forces in with unmarked uniforms so it would appear
this was internal conflict and not his aggression. He wants to
control as much wealth there as possible. Those troops without
military insignia are not covered under the Geneva Conventions (think
Taliban / Al-Qaeda) should have been shot immediately by Ukraine
forces.

Putin knows what he is doing and is playing from his KGB playbook.